From Homesteading to Urban Life: Maine’s Back-to-the-Landers Adapt
Bucksport, ME — Hans Krichels, a former back-to-the-lander, quips, “I’m a shadow of my farmer self,” reflecting on his life’s transition after leaving the 75-acre homestead he once cherished. After a divorce, Krichels moved to urban settings but clings to the values and skills he developed during his years cultivating the land.
Krichels represents a wave of young people who flocked to Maine in the 1960s and 70s, seeking self-reliance and a connection to nature. However, as health issues, aging, and changing family dynamics set in, many have made the tough choice to leave their rural lives behind. Despite the move, former homesteaders often retain their core ideals and adapt their practices to fit new contexts, as highlighted in a recent feature by the Bangor Daily News.
Lynn Hower Allen, who transitioned from rural Union to Rockland, exemplifies this trend. After nearly 40 years of farming with her late husband, she established a small “urban homestead,” finding joy in gardening and making her own bread, despite the challenges tied to aging and loss.
Similarly, Bill Sturrock and Mary-Michael Billings of Orrington shifted to downtown Bucksport after a fire destroyed their farmhouse. Although leaving homesteading was difficult, they opened a café, The Crumpet, and appreciate the social opportunities urban life provides.
While changes in lifestyle can lead to a loss of identity, many former homesteaders view these transitions as opportunities for growth. As they adapt, the resilient spirit of Maine’s homesteading community persists, proving that values and connections to the land remain, regardless of where life leads. “It doesn’t have to be miserable,” says Allen. “You’re more than the sum of your daily chores.”
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